Envelope flap moistening device



April 20, 1937. F w STORCK 2,077,780

ENVELOPE FLAP MOISTENING DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 c A 4|. I x40 FTI: Z n/\\ aT. 4 4 l L, ,flo

April 20, 1937. F w. STORCK 2,077,780

ENVELOPE FLAP MOISTENING DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 193e 5 sheets-sheetQ ,y n v v v v v vv April 20, 1937.

F. W. STORCK ENVELOPE FLAP MISTENIG DEVICE..

Filed Aug. 28, 1936 ."5 Sheets-Sheet' gw/venan @maw www.

-'owze Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,077,780 ENVELOPE FLAI MOISTENING DEVICE Application August 28, 1936, Serial No. 98,316

17 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for moistening the gummed areas of flaps of envelopes and is particularly adapted to mailing machines of an optional envelope sealing and non-sealing character.

In the usual type of mailing machine, the envelopes to be operated upon are deposited in a hopper or magazine in stacked formation and stripped singly therefrom. Mailing machines of the referred to character are adapted to perform various combinations of mail handling operations; for example, seal the envelope flap and print indicia thereon, print indicia thereon without sealing the envelope flap. When the envelope flaps are toy be sealed, the stripped envelope is conveyed, by suitable means, to the moistening device where the envelope flap is engaged and the gummed area moistened.

Since the disclosure, as contained in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,609,218, which eliminates the requirements and disadvantages of bibulous materials commonly used in this type of moistening, it is known that by providing a moistening device with a narrow, elongated cap- ,5 illary slot, or capillary openings, adapted to be sealed by the surface tension of the iiuid, and an air-locked fluid supply; when the gummed area of the envelope flap is wiped across the slot, due to the affinity of the gummed area for water, n sufficient fluid is drawn from the slot to moisten only this area for subsequent sealing o-f the flap to the envelope body.

Mailing machines, in general use, are adaptable to envelopes of various sizes and characters. Envelopes are manufactured in various sizes and their flaps have various contours and gummed areas, therefore, a characteristic in particular that is required of a moistening device embodied with a mail handling machine is that the ma chine and moistening device must be readily adaptable to properly handle and engage these various gummed areas of the flaps with the moistening device prior to being sealed. This requires that these envelope flaps, of various contours, must be separated and positioned from the envelope body prior to engagement with the moistening fluid.

A disadvantage commonly experienced in mail handling machines is that, when the envelope is advanced by the feed rollers, the folded edge of the envelope flap will become displaced, that is,

the feed rollers will move the iiap out of its nor-V mal folded position and cause another folding 55 line between the envelope flap and the envelope body and when thus sealed, the piece of mail matter presents an unsightly appearance.

Accordingly, the principal object of my present invention is to provide a novel and efficient envelope moistener of a simple construction which will, Without adjustment relative to the flap contour, automatically separate envelope flaps of any shape from the envelope body and moisten the gummed area thereof, preparatory to the sealing of the flap to the envelope body.

Another object in my invention is to provide a novel and simple device whereby the envelope and flap may be guided in either an engaging or non-engaging relation relative to the moistener so that the mailing machine, with which my device is associated, may be optionally used to seal the envelope flaps or not seal or even open the flaps of the envelopes.

Another object in my invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement of feed rollers whereby the envelope is advanced without displacing the folded edge of the envelope body and flap.

A further object in my present invention is to provide a novel adjustable means wherein the advancing edge of the envelope body and flap are positively separated from'one another and to assure engagement of the flap with the moistener.

A still further object is to provide a novel,

sectonally yieldable element to insure contactr of the envelope flap with the moistening aperture as the iiapis advanced in its line of travel.

Another object is to provide a simple airlocked fluid reservoir that may be replenished with fluid without removing the reservoir, thereby eliminating the possibility of spilling the contents of the reservoir during replenishment.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention comprises a novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention suflicient to enable those skilled in the art to understand the construction and operation thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of my moistening device attached to a portion of a mailing machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of my moistening device, as illustrated at Fig. 1, viewing in the direction of arrow a, same figure; in this View the supply reservoir is omitted.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 3 3, Fig. 1 and viewing in the direction of arrow b, same gure.

Fig. 4 is a View corresponding substantially to Fig. 3, but shows some of the parts in a different position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along line 5 5, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 65, Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 'I-I, Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a detached sectional elevation of my yielding contact elements.

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding substantially to Fig. 8, but shows some of the parts in a different position.

Fig. 10 is a section taken along line III-Ill, Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line II--I I, Fig. 2.

Mailing machines of the character to which my envelope moist'ening device is adaptable are typically illustrated in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,629,130. In mailing machines of this general type the envelopes are advanced through the machine by suitable conveying means, as is well known in the art, therefore, a detailed showing and description of the mailing machine proper is thought unnecessary.

The moisener ,feed rolls As illustrated in the drawings, the machine frame III has rotatably supported therein a shaft II which is driven by suitable mechanism (not shown) associated with the conveyor of the machine. This shaft Il has secured thereon the lower spaced apart feed rollers I2, I3, which form a part of the envelope conveyor. The innermost roller I2 is preferably provided with a substantially conical portion I2a. adjacent its narrow contact face for a purpose hereinafter described.

The upper feed rollers I4, I5 are secured to a hollow shaft IIa which is rotatably mounted on a shaft I6 secured in a suitable yielding bracket I1 pivotally supported by the machine frame, and thus the upper rollers I4, I5 engag'e their coacting rollers I2, I3 under pressure. The inner roller I4 is of a narrow face construction and engages with the narrow face of the lower roller I2, while the upper roller I4 is preferably provided with a face of greater width than its lower coacting roller I3. While not strictly essential, I prefer to position the axis of my upper feed rollers I4, I5 slightly in advance of vertical alignment with the axis of the lower feed rollers I2, I3 so that the envelope in passing between these rollers will be deflected slightly downward from its normal travel line. The opposed feed rollers I2, I4 are each of an increased diameter relative to the opposed pair of feed rollers I3, I5. The two shafts II, l5 are spaced parallel to one another at a distance substantially equal to a total of one-half of the diameter of each of the rollers I3, I5. With this construction, it is obvious that the distance between the centers of the shafts II, I5 is less than the total of onehalf of the diameter of each of the increased diameter rollers I2, I4.

To compensate for this variance of the increased diameters of the rollers I2, I4, and at the same time maintain the aforementioned oenter distance between the shafts, the roller I2 in this instance is formed of a resilient material having an annular rim I2b, the face of which contacts with the face of its coacting roller I4, and in this manner permits utilizing a set of rollers I2, I4 having an increased diameter relative to a set of opposed coacting rollers I3, I5 mounted on parallel shafts II, I6.

It is apparent that the rollers I2, I3, I4 and I5 will be rotated at the same R. P. M. and, therefore, the increased diameter rollers I2, I4 will have a correspondingly increased peripheral speed relative to the peripheral speed of the opposed coacting rollers I3, I5.

As the envelope A is conveyed from the magazine or hopper (not shown) the flap edge of the envelope is .guided against the travel line guide I 3a. The envelope is carried by a suitable conveyor into engagement with the coacting feed rollers I2, I3, I4 and I5. The inner coacting rollers I3, I4 will engage only a narrow edge of the flap portion of the envelope and the conical portion will permit opening of the disengaged flap portion and will guide the same above the rotating shaft II. The opposed edge portion of the envelope is engaged between the lower driven roller I3 and its coacting roller I5, thus the intermediate body portion of the envelope and flap are unsupported while being advanced, by these feed rollers, into engagement with the moistener. As the envelope is advanced by these rollers, the increased peripheral travel of the rollers I2, I4 will urge the flap edge of the envelope to advance at a faster rate than the opposed envelope edge which is engaged between the rollers I3, I5. This action will cause the rear end of the envelope to be urged substantially toward the travel line guide IIIa and the flap of the envelope thus advanced will not be displaced as aforementioned.

The envelope moistener screw 24 threadedly engaged in the U-shaped projecting arm 23h of the bracket 23 and a lock screw 25 threadedly engaged in the depending bracket 22. This permits adjusting the moistening face 25h relative to a horizontal plane. In

its. preferred position the inner end of the moist tening face is disposed at an angle of substantially 2 to the horizontal plane. This will cause any tendency of iluid drip to take place at the inner end of the slot where suitable provision can be made for catching and disposing of the drips.

Preferably the moistening face 25h is of an arcuate contour and in this instance is provided with a central longitudinal capillary slot 23e communicating with the chamber 20a. While I have illustrated a single longitudinal slot 20c, it is obvious that the same results may be obtained by utilizing a plurality of capillary openings of any desired shape and such that fluid Will not flow normally therefrom when the uid supply container or chamber is air-locked.

The fluid supply Fluid is supplied to the chamber 23a from an air-locked reservoir 25 which has a discharge conduit 2l engaging and supported in the bore communicating opening 28a.

of a packing member 28, said conduit being open at its terminating end and also provided with a side opening 21a. This packing member 28, in turn, is engaged and supported in a chamber d, adjacent the moistening chamber 20a., and has a side opening 28a communicating with the chamber 20a and with which the conduit opening 21a is adapted for registration. Said chamber 20d is provided with an adjustable breather valve which is disposed below the lower open end of the reservoir conduit 21.

The breather valve comprises a threaded bore 20e having a restricted valve seat opening 20j communicating with the chamber 20d. A valve stem 29 threadedly engages in the bore 20e and is provided, at its inner end, with a needle point 29a which is adapted to engage with the valve seat opening 2f. Also, the valve stem is provided With an enlarged head 29h and lever 29o to facilitate rotating the valve stem.

A compression spring 30 encircles the valve stem 29 and has its end bearings against the valve housing and inner side of the valve stem head 29b. This compression spring acts as a friction element and retains the valve stem 29 in an adjusted position.

Air channels 2tlg are provided at the opposed sides of the valve stem bore to permit air to communicate directly with the needle valve 29a and its coacting valve seat opening 20f.

When the moistening device is in use, the needle valve 29a is opened to permit air to enter into the air-locked reservoir in a suflicient amount to break the air-lock and replenish the moistening fluid chamber 20a as its supply is reduced from discharge through the capillary slot 20c.

When the moistening device is not in use, the needle valve is closed, thereby air-locking the uid supply and thus preventing discharge of the fluid through the capillary opening 20c.

The fluid supply reservoir My uid supply reservoir 26 is provided with T a novel means for closing the communicating opening 28a between the reservoir 26 and moistening chamber 20a and which permits replenishing the reservoir without removing the same or without the necessity for using the usual additional shut-off valves.

To replenish the reservoir 26, the breather valve is closed and the reservoir body is simply rotated until the reservoir conduit opening 21a is in a non-registering position relative to the chamber This permits removing the air-locking closure or filler plug 26a and replenishing the reservoir Without releasing or disturbing the air-locked body of fluid contained in the moistening chamber 20a. After replenishment, the plug 26a is replaced and the reservoir is again rotated until the communicating openings 21a, 28a. are in a registering position. When the air breather valve 23 is again opened, the moistening element is ready for continued operation,

Envelope flap presser rolls To ensure positive contact of the separated envelope flap with the moistener opening 20c I have provided, in this instance, a plurality of impervious presser rolls 33, having circumferentially grooved faces, formed of a material lacking an amnity for moisture, such as for example, hard, smooth rubber or a non-corrosive metallic nish. These presser rolls 33 are rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 34 which is secured to depending lugs 20h of the moistener 20. The shaft bearing bore of each of the presser rolls 33 is of a greater diameter than the shaft 34 upon which they are mounted.

Each roll is provided with a yielding contact ball 35 which is contained in a suitable aperture 38 and projects above the shaft 34 which is positioned in alignment with the moistener opening 20c. These balls 35 are forced outwardly, against the roll bores, by means of compression springs 31. In rotating, the roll bores have a point of contact against the balls 35 and a portion of the under peripheral face of the shaft 34.

This roll mounting permits each roll to act independently of one another in a forced yielding engagement with the moistening slot 20c. At Fig. 9 I have shown some of the rolls 33 in a depressed position as would be occasioned by an envelope and flap of unusual or varying thickness when passed between the rolls 33 and the moistening opening 20c.

Envelope guide and flap edge deflectofr As previously stated, mailing machines kto which my moistening device may be adapted, are generally used for sealing the envelope flaps, together with other required mailing operations such as printing the usual indicia; or optionally used for printing the indicia without sealing the envelope flap.

` When the envelope aps are to be sealed, I have provided an adjustable deiiector shoe 4D which is normally urged downward, by means of a pull spring 43e, into the engaging path of an advancing envelope. This deflector shoe 40 is pivoted at 40a to a supporting plate 4| positioned adjacent the travel line of the envelope and spaced apart from the frame I0.

A control lever 42 threadedly engages an eccentric stud 43 which projects through an enlarged opening 4Ia, in the plate 4|, to engage with the top inner face of an opening 40h in the defiector shoe 40. By means of said eccentric stud 43, the engaging face of the shoe may be adjust-ably positioned relative toA the plane of the envelope guide plate 44 which is secured to the moistener. The guide plate 44 is disposed parallel to the plane of and preferably elevated slightly above, the travel line of the envelope. This plate is provided with a forward edge 44e which is angularly disposed relative to the advancing edge of the envelope'.

This guide plate i4 is provided with an ad-l vanced turned down portion 44a and angular engaging and separating edges 44h, 44C. With a guide Aplate so constructed and arranged, the advancing edge of the envelope will engage the turned-down portion 44a and elevate the body portion of the envelope for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The control lever 42 is provided, at its upper end, with an operating and lock stud 42a which projects through a cam slot 4Ib in the plate 4|. This cam slot 4ib is formed so that the lever 42 may be actuated to control the operative and inoperative positioning of the deflector shoe 4D, the lever being retained in either of its opposed positions by means of a pull spring 42h.

Secured in the lower end of the lever 42 is a guide stud 42e which projects through a suitable opening 4|c. This guide stud 42e is positioned relative to the envelope guide plate 44 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Operation of the moistening device When the device is to be used for moistening envelope flaps to be sealed, the control lever 42 is positioned as shown at Figs. 3, 5 and 6. This lever 42, in turn, positions the deector shoe 40 in its operative position and the guide` stud 45 in its inoperative position.

As the envelope A is advanced, as aforesaid,

by the feed rolls I2, I3, I4 and I5, the enivelope body is engaged by the forward turned-down edge 44a of the guide plate 44 and is carried up over said guide plate 44. As heretofore mentioned, the opposed feed rolls I2, I4 engage only a narrow flap edge portion of the envelope which leaves the envelope flap and central body portion of the envelope unsupported. As the advancing flap edge of the envelope engages the shoe 40, this edge is deflected below the plane of the envelope body which is now supported on the guide plate 44. This deilecting of the flap edge, together with the aforementioned elevating of the advancing edge, causes what may be conveniently termed a transversely extending buckle or bend in the advancing envelope body, see Figs. 5 and 6, and thus assures separation of the flap Ab from the envelope body and thereby, in a positive manner, assuring entrance of the angular edges 441:, 44o, of the guide plate 44, between said envelope body and flap.

By pro-viding my guide plate 44 with angular engaging edges 44h, 44e in connection with my deflect-or shoe 4l?, I have found that envelopes having flaps of various contours or corner cuts Ac may be readilyseparated without employing additional devices or adjustments. It is obvious, and to be understood., that in utilizing my device with various widths of envelopes the moistening unit is adjustable toward and away from the ap edge travel line of the mailing machine frame so as to permit of the moisture being applied to the gummed area of the various envelope flaps.

The separated advancing envelope flap is engaged between the top face of the presser rolls 33 and the face 2Gb of the moistener, and while being advanced, the gummed area of the flap will draw suficient moisture from the capillary opening 253e, due to the aflinity of this gummed area for moisture, to completely moisten this said .gummed area for subsequent sealing of the flap to the envelope body. In this instance, after the envelope flap has been moistened, the envelope is further advanced by coacting feed rolls 45, 46 for further desired disposition.

When the mailing machine, with which' my moistening device may be associated, is to be used for performing mailing operations without the sealing of the envelope flaps, the control lever 42 is moved'to its raised position as' shown at Fig. 5. This movement of the control lever, through the stud 43, moves the deflector shoe 4t to its inoperative position and the guide stud 42e to its operative position in alignment with the plane of the .guide plate 44.

When the guide stud 42e is in this operative position the flap edge and flap of the envelope will be guided above the separating edges del), 44e, and over the plate 44 and, therefore, the gummed area of the envelope flap is not permitted to engage with the moistening opening c of the moistener.

Thus, in a convenient manner, the mailing machine may be readily changed for sealing or non-sealing of the envelope flaps.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, but what I claim is:

1. A moistening device for envelope sealing machines having a moistening arm with an airlocked fluid chamber and a fluid outlet passage of restricted size such that fluid Will not flow normally therefrom when said chamber is airiocked, with means for engaging an envelope flap with said outlet passage to draw fluid therefrom; in combination with a second chamber adjacent said first chamber and having an opening communicating therewith with means for obstructing said communicating opening, an adjustable air breather valve communicating with said second chamber and an air-locked uid supply communicating with said second chamber.

2. A moistening device for envelope sealing machineshavinga moistening arm with an airlocked fluid chamber and a fluid outlet passage of restricted size such that fluid will not flow normally therefrom when said chamber is airlocked, with means for engaging an envelope flap With said outlet passage todraw uid therefrom; in combination with a second chamber adjacent said first chamber and having an opening communicating therewith, an air-locked fluid supply having a conduit rotatable in said charnber and adapted for registering and non-registering engagement with said communicating opening and an adjustable air breather valve for said fluid supply.

3. A moistening device for envelope sealing machines having a moistening arm with an airlocked fluid chamber and a iluid outlet passage of restricted size such that fluid will not flow normally therefrom when said chamber is airlccked, with means for engaging an envelope flap with said outlet passage to draw fluid therefrom; in combination with a second chamber communicating with said rst chamber, a rotatable airlocked fluid supply reservoir engaging with said second chamber and adapted, through rotation of said reservoir, to interrupt the communication between said chambers, an adjustable air breather valve associated with said fluid supply.

` 4. A moistening device for envelope sealing machines having a moistening arm with an airlocked fluid chamber .and a fluid outlet passage of restricted size such that fluid will not ow normally therefrom when said chamber is airlocked, with means for engaging an envelope flap with said outlet passage to draw fluid therefrom; in combination with a fluid supply tank for supplying fluid to said chamber with a closure whereby said tank may be air-locked above the level ci the fluid in said tank with means forming a part ci said tank whereby said chamber may be air-locked independent of said tank air-lock and an adjustable air breather valve associated with said uid supply.

5, A moistenin-g device for envelope sealing machines having a moistening arm with an airlocked fluid chamber and a fluid outlet passage of restricted size such that fluid will not flow normally therefrom when said chamber is airlocked, with means engaging an envelope flap with said outlet passage to draw fluid therefrom; in combination with a juxtapositioned uid supply tank for supplying fluid to said chamber with aV closure whereby said tank may be replenished in its normal position and air-locked above the level of the fluid' in said tank, together with means whereby said chamber may be air-locked independent .of said tank air-lock and an adjustable air breather valve associated with said fluid supply.

6. An envelope sealing machine having a moistening device, feeding means for advancing an envelope into engagement with said device to moisten the ap thereof, said feeding means including opposed sets of coacting feed rollers mounted on parallel shafts, one of said sets of rollers being of a larger diameter than its opposed set of rollers.

'7. An envelope sealing machine having feedin-g means for advancing an envelope, said feeding means including opposed sets of coacting feed rollers mounted on opposed parallel shafts, one of said sets of rollers being of a larger diameter than its opposed set of rollers.

8. An envelope sealing machine having feeding means for advancing an envelope, said feedin-g means including parallel shafts with means for rotating said shafts at substantially the same speed, opposed pairs of coacting rollers mounted on said shafts, one of said pairs of coacting rollers being of a larger diameter than the other pair of rollers, one of said larger diameter rollers having a resilient annular area.

9. An envelope sealing machine having feeding means for advancing an envelope in contact with a travel guide, said feeding means including a pair of parallel shafts with means for rotating said shafts at substantially the same speed, opposed pairs of rollers mounted for rotation relative tosaid shafts and adapted'to engage opposed parallel edge areas of said envelope, said rollers being further adapted to advance one edge of said parallel edges of said envelope at a greater rate of speed than the other parallel edge. v

10. An envelope sealing machine having a moistening device with feeding means for advancing an envelope into engagement with said device, said feeding means including opposed pairs of coacting feed rollers mounted on parallel shafts, one of said pairs of rollers being of a larger diameter than the other rollers and one of said larger diameter rollers being adapted to yield under pressure of its said other larger diameter coacting roller.

11. An envelope sealing machine having a moistening device with feeding means for advancing an envelope into engagement with said device to moisten the flap thereof, said feeding means including opposed coacting rollers disposed in advance of said device, the axes of the upper and lower of said rollers being out of vertical alignment with one another.

12. An envelope sealing machine having a moistening device with feeding means for advancing an envelope into engagement with said device to moisten the flap thereof, said feeding means including coacting feed rollers disposed in advance of said moistening device, the bight of said rollers being positioned so as to direct the advancingenvelope body and ap downwardly from its normal travel plane with an angular guide member adapted to engage said downwardly advancing envelope body and elevate said body with the ap thereof separated therefrom as said envelope is advanced.

13. A moisteningl device for envelope sealing machines having a moistening arm to deliver moisture to an advancing flap of an envelope and coacting feed rollers disposed relative to said arm for advancing the envelope; said rollers being adapted to engage a limited plane of the opposed edge faces of said envelope in a manner to permit the envelope ap to depend from the envelope body with guide means associated with one of said rollers, together with means for engaging said depending flap with said moistening arm.

14. A moistening device for envelope sealing machines having a normal air-locked fluid supply, a moistening arm, a iiuid chamber in said arm and having a fluid outlet passage for delivering moisture to an envelope flap when said ap is engaged therewith, said passage being of restricted size such that fluid will not flow normally therefrom, a yielding rotatable element disposed relative to said passage and so arranged that an envelope iiap to be moistened, when passed between said elements and across the mouth of said passage, will be pressed close thereto and operate to draw fluid therefrom against the influence of the air-lock of the fluid supply. l l

15. A moistening device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said rotatable element comprises a plurality of independently yieldable members.

16. A moistening device for envelope sealing machines having a moistening arm with a fluid outlet passage of a restricted size such that fluid will not normally flow therefrom for delivering moisture tol an envelope flap when said flap is pressed close thereto; a shaft disposed relative to said arm and outlet passage, a plurality of rollers mounted on said shaft, the shaft-bearing bore of each of said rollers being of a greater diameter than said shaft with yielding elements, carried by said shaft, in engagement with the bores of said rollers and whereby a portion of the peripheries of said bores are yieldingly retained in an independent spaced relation to the periphery of said shaft and the outer periphery of said rollers normally in engagement with said arm.

17. A moistening device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said rollers are provided with interrupted peripheral faces.

FREDERICK W. STORCK. 

